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Importing

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Steps to importing

To import grains, seeds, or nuts for processing for human consumption, you must either be registered as a food importer with MPI, or use a registered food importer. There are also other standards and requirements. We've created a step-by-step process to explain what's involved.

Are you using wood packaging?

If your consignment is shipped to New Zealand on wooden pallets, or wood has been used to package any part of your consignment, you'll also need to comply with the requirements for importing wood packaging.

Comply with import health standard (IHS) requirements

You'll need to understand and comply with the biosecurity requirements for your product.

Find the import health standard for your product

The import health standards (IHS) tell you what you need to do to import your product into New Zealand. There are 2 import health standards for importing grains, seeds, and nuts. Check each IHS to find out which one covers your products.

Read the IHS for your product thoroughly to make sure you can meet all of the requirements.

IHS BNZ-NPP-Human

Most plant-based food products are covered by the IHS BNZ-NPP-Human, including all nuts, and some grains and seeds. Biosecurity requirements are listed by a commodity's common name. Depending on the commodity, sometimes you may be referred to another IHS.

Decide when to have your product inspected

Depending on the IHS requirements for your commodity, there may be more than one option for when your product has inspections – at the border or at a transitional facility. If you're unsure which is the best option to follow, ask your customs broker or email plantimports@mpi.govt.nz.

Comply with the Grain Importing System (GIS), if required

The IHS for your product will tell you whether you need to comply with extra biosecurity requirements set out in the GIS (Grain Importing System). If needed, you'll have to provide a written plan for MPI that details how you will handle, store, and process the imported grain. You'll have to submit this to MPI and apply for accreditation to get approval to import your product.

To find out more about GIS requirements and how to submit a plan, read the operating standard 'PIT-GFP-ISR Grain for Processing Import System Requirements'.

Meet phytosanitary requirements, if required

You may need to apply for a phytosanitary certificate, which is issued in the exporting country. Additional declarations may also be required for your product.

To meet the requirements you may need to complete some or all of the following tasks before shipping:

arrange pre-shipment inspection for detectable weed seed or pests, and arrange fumigation or other treatments, if necessary

arrange testing, if importing viable seed

get the manufacturer's information, if required (it can help to have documentation that identifies the commercial processes used on your product)

use approved packaging and shipping materials that are free of soil or other contaminants

label the consignment with its scientific (genus and species) name

meet any extra requirements listed in the IHS.

If you're using wood packaging, make sure it meets the phytosanitary requirements as well.

Apply for a phytosanitary certificate, if needed

To apply for a certificate you or your export supplier should contact the relevant National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO, an equivalent agency to MPI) in the export country. You can find the contact details on the International Plants Protection Convention (IPPC) website.

Get a seed analysis and certification, if required

If your consignment is accompanied by a seed analysis certificate (SAC), a smaller sample may be required for testing. This can result in faster clearance of your consignment at the border.

If you decide to get a SAC, then you need to have your seed analysed either by an MPI-approved or accredited testing station like the International Seed Testing Association or Association of Official Seed Analysts. Ask your seed supplier about the options for seed analysis.

Apply for an import permit, if required

The IHS will tell you whether an import permit is needed for your food product. If required, apply for a permit by completing the application form and returning it to MPI. Fees apply.

Arrange a transitional facility, if required

MPI approves transitional facilities to hold and manage imported goods that might have a biosecurity risk. These goods may need to be inspected or treated at the transitional facility before they can be cleared by MPI.

All sea containers arriving in New Zealand need to be taken to a transitional facility and unpacked there.

You or your customs broker need to arrange for your container to be transferred to a transitional facility, before your goods arrive in New Zealand.

Check packaging and labelling requirements

Packaging must be secure so that pests can't get inside, and must be clean and free from soil or other contaminants. If you're using wood products (other than paper) to pack your consignment, there are extra conditions to meet to make sure there are no hidden pests or diseases.

Correct labelling will help ensure that your consignment can be quickly identified and processed by border clearance staff when it arrives in New Zealand. If your product is pre-packaged, the IHS may require the volume of packages to be clearly displayed.

Transition from listed food importer to registered food importer

If you were a listed food importer with MPI before 1 March 2016, you are considered to be a registered food importer until at least 1 July 2016. You'll need to re-apply after 1 July 2016 to continue to be a registered food importer. To find out when you need to register by:

Check your Letter of Listing to find out what day and month you became a listed food importer. It doesn't matter what year.

Find the corresponding day and month between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017.

That is the date by which you must register as a food importer. If you can't find out the day and month you became a listed food importer, email approvals@mpi.co.nz.

Comply with regulations and standards

All food businesses must comply with the Food Act 2014, Food Regulations 2015 and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. For example, food sold in retail shops must have labels in English, with a New Zealand distributor's name and address.

Check if your product requires food safety clearance

MPI must check the safety of "foods of regulatory interest" before they can be imported and sold. These are types of foods that have made people sick in the past, or may make people sick. Customs or your customs broker will tell you if a food safety clearance is required.

Grains, seeds and nuts of regulatory interest

Peanuts and pistachio nuts, and their products (including peanut butter)

Tahini and crushed sesame seeds, and any products containing them.

If, after checking, they're shown to be safe, you'll be given a food safety clearance and the food can be imported.

Grains, seeds and nuts from Australia

You can import any grains, seeds, nuts (and their products, such as peanut butter) from Australia without a food safety clearance.

Your application should include:

If the food being imported requires an official certificate, you should also include that with your application.

When inspection, sampling or testing is required

MPI will tell you if the food you're importing needs to be inspected, sampled or tested. If that happens, MPI will sample the product and send samples to your choice of MPI-approved laboratory. You'll need to pay the sampling, transport and testing costs – and share the test results with MPI.

All imported plant products need biosecurity clearance. Some may also require a food safety clearance.

Biosecurity clearance

If a biosecurity inspector is satisfied that your products comply with the import health standard (IHS), clearance will be issued soon after your goods arrive.

If you were issued with a Biosecurity Authority Clearance Certificate (BACC) by an MPI quarantine inspector, you may need it for clearance by other agencies.

If your products don't comply with an IHS, your goods may not be cleared. However, you may be given the chance to provide further documentation or treatment for your product. Each compliance issue is dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Food safety clearance

A Food Safety Officer (FSO) will assess your application against the requirements of the Food Act. You'll be notified of the outcome through the Trade Single Window system or directly by MPI.

Clearance may be given 'without direction,' which means you're free to move and sell the product within New Zealand. If the food requires inspection or sampling, or it's not safe and suitable for people to eat then you'll receive clearance with direction. Directions given may include reprocessing the food, re-exporting it, or destroying it.

Importer responsibilities and alerts

Food can't be sold that is unsafe, unfit for human consumption, or contaminated. It's your responsibility as an importer to ensure that all legal requirements are met.

Food importers should regularly check any alerts issued for food recalled overseas, and for developing risks.